SARASOTA – According to a recent study about one in fourteen children in the United States will lose a parent or sibling by the time they turn 18.
A training session for volunteers held on the Suncoast for a Bereavement camp will help others cope with losing a loved one.
“Children in grief are children at risk, said Mark Wandall Foundation Founder and Director, Melissa Wandall. “And we need to make sure that we teach them how we nurture them and show them how to work through that grief so they don’t drink it smoke it, take their lives in spite of it.”
The Mark Wandall Foundation helps children teens and young adults who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary guardian.
Wandall says grief can isolate you, especially a teen or young adult. And no gift to a child can mend their broken hearts.v
“They will never grow out of their grief,” said Wandall. “But the goal is for them to learn how to manage it.”
This is the reason the Mark Wandall Foundation exists, and why they partnered with Comfort Zone camp to help the youth.
Comfort camp is the number one grief camp in the country.
Anyone is able to volunteer, no prior experience is necessary.
Maralyce Taylor has participated since 2015 and says the experience is nothing short of amazing; it has changed her life.
For the brand new volunteers, who feel hesitant about joining, she says to just be you.
“We really just need somebody to be themselves, cause there’re different kids out there,” said Comfort Zone Camp Volunteer, said Maralyce Taylor. “If you are yourself, there might be a kid who is just like you. And, that’s what they need.”
The training involves preparing the volunteers for what to expect on the three-day weekend at camp. And when you get trained once, you’re trained for life.
Every volunteer pairs up with a camper. The camps are free is of charge, and there is only one in the state of Florida. But, the camps are held across the nation.
A 5th-time camper, Tayton Laing, lost his dad about seven years ago to cancer. He wants to turn the tables and help others the way the volunteers helped him.
“I hope to touch other people, help them out however I can, since I’ll be a volunteer this time with the younger kids,” said Tayton Laing.
Comfort Zone Camp is always looking for volunteers, especially male volunteers. This year’s camp will be held March 6-8 at Fruitland Park, Florida.
So, if you’re interested and want more information, visit The Mark Wandall Foundation website.
